Brake mechanism for mechanically movable shelves



Aug. 15, 1939. w. DOGGETT 2,169,602 BRAKE MECHANISM FOR MECHANI CALLY MOVABLE SHELVES Original Filed May 4, 1935 9' 39 9' 5 9 '9. {a I I V 0 a 16 11 38 I6 4041 INVENTOR 9 23 3 WILLEAM DOGGETT 33% 34 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 15, 1939 PATENT OFFICE BRAKE MECHANISM FOR MECHANICALLY MOVABLE. SHELVES William Doggett, New York, N. Y.

Application May 4, 1935, Serial No. 19,773 Renewed January 14, 1939 ,1 Claim. (.01. 1ss 171) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a brake mechanism for automatically movable shelves.

The invention has. for an object the construction of a brake mechanism for controlling the movements of movable shelves or a similar article which is confined to moving within a specified course.

A further object of the invention is the pro- Vision of an electric solenoid connected in series with the motor for moving the shelves which will release the brake mechanism when the motor operates.

Still further the invention contemplates an arrangement for manually releasing the brake mechanism so that the shelves may be manually moved.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device as described which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an automatically movable shelf unit according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

5 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion of Fig. 2, illustrating the particular details within the transmission housing of the electric motor.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 40 44 of Fig. 3, with schematic wiring applied.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of another form of the invention, a portion thereof being illustrated in section to show interior parts.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of 45 Fig. 4-.

The brake mechanism for automatically movable shelves, according to this invention, includes a stationary frame ID in which a shelf unit II is slidably mounted. A means is provided 50 for moving the shelf unit and includes an electric motor l2. More particularly, the motor l2 drives a pinion I 3 meshing with a stationary rack l4 mounted upon the wall I 5. The motor [2 is mounted upon the top of the shelf unit II. The

55 arrangement is such that when the motor l2 drives the pinion IS in one direction, the shelf unit is moved up, and when the rotation is in the opposite direction, the shelf unit is moved down. 7

The frame I0 consists of a top portion Ill 5 connected with side portions lll The frame is open at the front and bottom and is adapted to encase' the sides and the top of the shelf unit. The shelf unit I l comprises a box-like structure |lopen at the front and provided withseveral 10 shelves ll The slidable mounting of the shelf unit is accomplished by several rollers l6 mounted upon the sides of the box structure ll and engaging in tracks [1 stationarily fixed upon the wall l5. that it is adapted to move more readily. A cable I8 is attached to the top of the shelf unit and extends over several rollers l9 and into a wall cavity IS. A counterweight 20 is attached to the free end of the cable. 20

The electric motor l2 has its driving shaft indicated by reference numeral M A pinion 22 is fixed upon the end of the shaft l2 and connects with a speed reducing unit within a housing 23 which is fixedly mounted upon the side 25 of the casing of the motor [2. This reduction unit comprises several spindles and meshing gears and terminates in a shaft l3.

The pinion I3 is mounted on the extended end of the shaft I3 30 A brake is associated with the transmission reduction unit within the casing 23 for the purpose of holding the pinion shaft l3 from turning due to the counterweight 20 or the weight of the shelf unit so that the shelf unit maintains a fixed position. This brake comprises a brake band 25 fixed'at one end on a bracket 26 mounted on the interior wall of the casing 23. The brake band encircles a wheel which is fixed upon a spindle of the transmission. This wheel 21 40 is formed with peripheral teeth 21.

The brake band 25 has a bottom area 25' formed with teeth adapted to coact with the teeth 21' to hold the spindle against rotation. The free end of the brake band 25 connects with the plunger 28 of a solenoid 29. A spring 30 is associated with the plunger 28 and a stationary part for normally urging the brake band 25 into the operative condition, that is, the condition in which the teeth 25 engage the teeth 21'. The solenoid 29 is connected in series with the electric motor l2 which is controlled by a switch 3|. The electric circuit is indicated by reference numeral 32. This circuit connects the switch 3|, the solenoid 29, and the motor l2 in 5 The shelf unit is counterbalanced so 15..

. series. In 4 the motor is schematically indicated by a circle l2, a pair of tangential leads I2 and field [2.

A conduit 33 extends from the casing 23 to a point 33' (see Fig. 2) located at the bottom of the shelf unit. A cable 34 is attached'to the lower end of the plunger 28 and slidably extends through the conduit 33'and'over rollers 35 mounted on the bottom of the shelf unit and terminates in a finger ring 36.

The finger ring 36 may be pulled to manually move the plunger 28 against the action of the spring 30 to release the brake so that the shelf unit may be be manually moved. When the switch 3| is closed, the solenoid 29 will electrically move the core 28 to release the brake, and simultaneously the motor will be energized so that the shelf unit is free to move and.- moves in one direction. A reversing switch 3| is provided to reverse the motor so that the shelf unit may'begelectri'cally movediin the other direction.

In Fig. 5 another embodiment of the-invention has been disclosed iIl1WhiCh a shelf unitll is illustrated provided with rollers 16 by which 'it" isslidably supported upon tracks-l1. A counterweight is. associated with the shelf unit and consists of a cable l8 connected'with the shelf unit andjextending over ,a puileyjl9 and sup? porting a counterweight 20. This shelf unit is raised or? lowered by a cable 38 which is attached on one end 38 upon the top of the shelf unit I I. and extends over rollers 39 and is attachedat the other end and'wound upon a drum 40. This rotatively supported and is equipped with a gear 4| meshing withthe pinion 13 .of the motor l2. This motor is provided with'the transmission casing 23 with the mechanism previously described, within said casing. A conduit 33' extends from the casing 23 and the control cable 34 extends through this conduit terminating in the ring 36. V

The shelf unit may be electrically moved up or down by controlling the switches (3| and 3 l ing the ring 36 so as to draw the cable and release the brake holding the motor.

. While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes andmodifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States letters Patent is: V

In a device of the class described, a brake drum on a rotative shaft connected with a source of power for controlling theimotion of a movable member, a brake shoe engaging around said brake drum and having one of its ends fixedly mounted and its other endfree, a solenoid having its core connected at one end to the free end of said brake shoe, an electric circuit for .energizing said solenoid to move said core to release said brake shoe and permit said drum to rotate,

.The shelf unit may be manually moved by pulland a cable connected to the other end of said core by which said brake shoe may be manually WILLIAM DOG GE'IT. 

